A fire began in the utility shaft on the Statfjord A facility on 16 October 2016 during transfer of oil from the platform’s storage cells to a shuttle tanker.
One of the loading pumps continued to operate because a shaft in the circuit breaker intended to shut off power to its motor suffered a fatigue fracture.
However, displays in the control room indicated that the pump had stopped As a result, crude oil was pumped for 51 minutes against a closed valve and its temperature rose from 33°C to 344°C.
The high temperature combined with powerful vibration in the pump meant that crude oil eventually leaked through the pump seals and ignited. In addition, fire broke out in crude oil which had leaked into an insulation box connected to the seal oil system.
The fire was confined by the quantity of oil which leaked out.
It was initially detected by a flame detector on the loading pump deck, and eventually extinguished through activation of the deluge system in the room.
Actual consequence
The actual consequence was an ignited hydrocarbon leak with a varying but limited leak rate.
No people were injured during the incident.
Potential consequence
The size of the fire was confined by the leak rate.
The PSA has concluded that the fire would not have escalated even with a long-lasting leak, given that the fire water system functioned.
The incident did not have a major accident potential.
Results
This investigation has identified three nonconformities and four improvement points.
The nonconformities related to investigations and improvement measures after earlier incidents, maintenance of shutdown valves and blocking of safety systems.
Improvement points relate to alarm texts, conflict of roles in the emergency response organisation, expertise and training, and general alarm and establishing of the emergency response organisation.
The PSA has asked operator company Statoil to explain how the nonconformities will be dealt with, and for an assessment of the identified improvement points.